New $52 monthly fee introduced for disabled people with BC Bus Pass

[Master 112]

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2016/02/new-52-monthly-fee-introduced-for-disabled-people-with-bc-bus-pass/

 

Changes are afoot for some transit users who rely on the provincial government’s B.C. Bus Pass program to get around.

Beginning on September 1, there will be an additional $52 monthly fee for people with Person with Disabilities (PWD) designation to hold the B.C. Bus Pass. This is in addition to the existing $45 annual administration fee.

Currently, the government provides approximately half of 100,000 people with PWD designation with a subsidized bus pass that costs taxpayers $52 per month or a special transportation subsidy of $66 per month.


“There is an inequity in the current system, and this change will bring fairness to the ministry’s transportation supports,” reads a press release. “The rest, particularly those living in smaller communities, receive no transportation support at all.”

The government says the increase in the bus pass fee is offset by a $77 per month rate increase for 100,000 people who are eligible for disability assistance.

“We know that people with disabilities face extra challenges in their daily lives,” said Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation, in a statement.

“That’s why I’m pleased to see that in Budget 2016 we are able to provide an increase in our rates for people with disabilities while creating equity in our system of transportation supports. This increase also allows people to make their own choice on how to meet their transportation needs.”

With the new monthly fee added on, the government recommends that some people on disability assistance may be better off purchasing a bus pass directly from B.C. Transit.

However, the system will not change for eligible low income seniors; a B.C. Bus Pass will still be available to low income seniors for only the $45 annual administration fee.

About 90,000 people hold the B.C. Bus Pass, which costs the government $50 million annually to subsidize.

 

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The $77/mo increase is cut to about $25 for those who need to retain their bus pass. Anyone who has lived in Vancouver for the past nine years - that's how long it's taken for rates to be raised - knows that either increase is a slap in the face given how much higher the cost of living is today. People who need the benefits are becoming more and more despondent.

[Warhippy]

Pffft non story.  Seriously, who cares about the elderly and disabled and how they get around.

 

Is Clark still ok to be flying on a measly private jet and helijet?

 

Me thinks we need to raise these rates more so she can buy a brand new one, maybe a hovercraft.  As befitting her station

 

But seriously, this line here says it all about our provincial government

 

“That’s why I’m pleased to see that in Budget 2016 we are able to provide an increase in our rates for people with disabilities while creating equity in our system of transportation supports"

 

Those on the most fragile incomes with literally 0 wiggle room...and they're pleased to be increasing rates for them.  (slow clap) it takes a village to grow an idiot

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

24 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

Pffft non story.  Seriously, who cares about the elderly and disabled and how they get around.

 

Is Clark still ok to be flying on a measly private jet and helijet?

 

Me thinks we need to raise these rates more so she can buy a brand new one, maybe a hovercraft.  As befitting her station

 

But seriously, this line here says it all about our provincial government

 

“That’s why I’m pleased to see that in Budget 2016 we are able to provide an increase in our rates for people with disabilities while creating equity in our system of transportation supports"

 

Those on the most fragile incomes with literally 0 wiggle room...and they're pleased to be increasing rates for them.  (slow clap) it takes a village to grow an idiot

That line literally made zero sense to me.

[Warhippy]

5 minutes ago, Bob.Loblaw said:

That line literally made zero sense to me.

I am hoping I misread it honestly, because the way it actually sounds is that they are happy rates are going up for those least able to pay and calling it equitable

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

Just now, Warhippy said:

I am hoping I misread it honestly, because the way it actually sounds is that they are happy rates are going up for those least able to pay and calling it equitable

Right.  It seems like they are almost rubbing it in.  I don't know what to say of this.  BC people are incredibly stupid to keep voting Liberal.

[Master 112]

Sorry guys--the article is poorly written. What is happening is the assistance rates are going up to the tune of $77 each month for persons with disabilities. This comes as they are upping the cost of bus passes for this population. Whereas before they would pay $45 yearly, they are now paying more than $600. Essentially what has happened is that someone who needs a bus pass will be seeing only a $25/mo increase to their assistance rates because they now have to pay more for transportation. Basically the government is trying to pass this off as them substantially increasing assistance by $77 when drawbacks are being made to other services for disabled persons.

 

Not to mention $77 is not in the first place a reasonable increase. These are people living well below the poverty line who require support in completing daily living activities and what's being done to them is appalling.

[Dekey Pete]

Can someone explain to me why this is such a big story?  Monthly assistance goes up by $77, but the price of a bus pass goes up to $52.  That's still an increase of $25, and $77 for someone who doesn't use the bus (not every disabled person uses that as a means of transportation).

 

I get that people think the increase should be more than $25 (or $77 depending on which category you fall in), but a lot of people are misinterpreting this story thinking that the government is simply adding on fees.  Of course, a headline that reads, "disabled Canadians get an additional $25-$77 per month" doesn't catch as much attention.

[Warhippy]

2 minutes ago, One one two said:

Sorry guys--the article is poorly written. What is happening is the assistance rates are going up to the tune of $77 each month for persons with disabilities. This comes as they are upping the cost of bus passes for this population. Whereas before they would pay $45 yearly, they are now paying more than $600. Essentially what has happened is that someone who needs a bus pass will be seeing only a $25/mo increase to their assistance rates because they now have to pay more for transportation. Basically the government is trying to pass this off as them substantially increasing assistance by $77 when drawbacks are being made to other services for disabled persons.

 

Not to mention $77 is not in the first place a reasonable increase. These are people living well below the poverty line who require support in completing daily living activities and what's being done to them is appalling.

OK so if I am following

 

It will be more than $600 a year for a bus pass.  Or now roughly $25 a month increase in costs and a fraction of the increase per person in assistance which does not come close to covering these costs correct?

[Master 112]

7 minutes ago, The Sedge said:

Can someone explain to me why this is such a big story?  Monthly assistance goes up by $77, but the price of a bus pass goes up to $52.  That's still an increase of $25, and $77 for someone who doesn't use the bus (not every disabled person uses that as a means of transportation).

 

I get that people think the increase should be more than $25 (or $77 depending on which category you fall in), but a lot of people are misinterpreting this story thinking that the government is simply adding on fees.  Of course, a headline that reads, "disabled Canadians get an additional $25-$77 per month" doesn't catch as much attention.

Ehh, $906/mo is not a liveable income. Not even close.

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

10 minutes ago, One one two said:

Ehh, $906/mo is not a liveable income. Not even close.

I see.  And since it took nine years for the rate increase we can assume it won't go up while living expenses continue to go up.

 

BC Transit profits the most from this, I believe?

[Alflives]

6 minutes ago, One one two said:

Ehh, $906/mo is not a liveable income. Not even close.

It is if four disabled people share expenses.  

[TheOgRook]

1 hour ago, Warhippy said:

I am hoping I misread it honestly, because the way it actually sounds is that they are happy rates are going up for those least able to pay and calling it equitable

We are happy to raise prices for those who can't equally get around so those that can get around fine can feel equal?

 

Ugh!  Some days I really hate our provincial government!

[Ghostsof1915]

Meanwhile if you rely on HandyDart, that system is so booked up its insane. Fortunately my stoke wasn't enough to keep me off transit, and after 3 months I can drive. But I have sympathy for the disadvantaged, and our seniors. If the increase goes to improving Handy Dart service that's fine by me. But I bet it just stuck in "general revenue" so the Liberals can help their rich friends and companies, not the people who really need it. 

[elvis15]

2 hours ago, Warhippy said:

I am hoping I misread it honestly, because the way it actually sounds is that they are happy rates are going up for those least able to pay and calling it equitable

I had to re-read it a few times to make sure I didn't miss something that this was an increase in subsidy rather than those people having to pay more. I wouldn't announce making disabled people pay more as something you're pleased about.

[Dekey Pete]

2 hours ago, One one two said:

Ehh, $906/mo is not a liveable income. Not even close.

I agree.  But they either received a $25 increase or a $77 increase, neither of which is going to make a dent in their liveable income.  That's my point.  The story should be about how $906 per month isn't liveable income, not that the price of bus passes has increased alongside an increase in disability benefits.  People are only focused in on the bus pass issue because that's the way the media has reported it.

[Master 112]

9 minutes ago, The Sedge said:

I agree.  But they either received a $25 increase or a $77 increase, neither of which is going to make a dent in their liveable income.  That's my point.  The story should be about how $906 per month isn't liveable income, not that the price of bus passes has increased alongside an increase in disability benefits.  People are only focused in on the bus pass issue because that's the way the media has reported it.

Ah, we agree then. I would have used a different title but am under the impression I'm supposed to take the author's verbatim.

[Dekey Pete]

2 minutes ago, One one two said:

Ah, we agree then. I would have used a different title but am under the impression I'm supposed to take the author's verbatim.

Not your fault, you are simply using the title the media chose.  The problem is that it focuses the discussion towards the wrong issue.  When I first read this story (from a different source) I just couldn't wrap my head around why people were so upset with BC transit and the Liberal govt, when the real issue was clearly something else.  It's the media trying to place the blame on a decision that the Liberals made (the bus pass thing), when in reality, the problem has been ongoing for many years.  Arguably the liberals made it $25-$77 per month better for people with disabilities (which we can both agree is not going to make any significant difference).

[Glory_Days]

All this is doing is hurting PWD's who are unable to drive, people on PWD receive, I believe, up to 50% off their car insurance, throw in 10 years safe driving and that 50% off, you're likely to be paying just as much for that bus pass as you are a vehicle, minus gas.

 

So if I'm reading this right, people on PWD receive $908 a month, and will be receiving a $77 increase at some point? or have they already started to receive it? moot point, as living on under $1000 a month is well below poverty line and many of these people don't have support systems to help them (family/friends), and find it difficult to hold down jobs